It's 9-11. Patriots' Day. A Day of Remembering.

I will be attending a 9-11 Memorial this evening in our town. This is the t-shirt I'll be wearing.

I'll stop by church earlier in the day. A tradition... my visits the first 3 anniversaries were to St. Patrick's Cathedral on 5th Avenue in Manhattan... as I had visited St. Pat's on 9-11-01 as fighter jets skimmed the top of the skyline overhead and the Nation waited to know just who had attacked our country that day.

I told my personal story of what it was like in Midtown Manhattan and in the days that followed HERE on the 5th Anniversary.

Absolutely be sure to read the stories of Rick Rescorla -- an incredible man and HERO who saved THOUSANDS of lives that day. HERE. HERE. HERE. HERE.

Be sure to read some of the stories of the 2,996 who died that day. Those that were murdered that day -- many of whom were NYPD and NYFD from our neighborhood and the surrounding communities.

And I get that some people are idealistic -- or perhaps naive -- and want to honor the dead and those who eagerly served on and after 9-11 with good deeds, but that whole day of "service" thing should have been 9-10 or 9-12.

9-11 is a day of mourning. A day to remember those who died. A day to remember that this country was ATTACKED. A day that still evokes the images of mothers and fathers (sons and daughters) leaping to their death; of people screaming to be saved from the smoke that burned their lungs and the fire that burned their skin; of the firefighters who strode to their deaths in those buildings; of the thousands of families who first, wondered, and then had their hearts ripped from them as it became clear that there would be no survivors. It became a macabre ritual to open our suburban paper each morning and read on page 3, "The following remains from the World Trade Center have been identified..." Every day. FOR 13 MONTHS.

Sorry, but as I told a friend who forwarded a suggestion that we all pray to overcome our "petty differences" in the world, I didn't think 2,996 deaths that day (or the tens of thousands that have been murdered worldwide by extremists) to be "petty"... and that it will take me a lot longer than eight years to approach forgiveness. As a Christian I guess I should be working on it, but I'm working on my other imperfections first.

And if anyone has the audacity to tell me that my shirt conveys the wrong message (as had been suggested to one of my sons who wore his shirt earlier this week), I will tell them that not only is it my right to wear it, but they'd be wearing this shirt, too, if they bothered to educate themselves about the enemy. And if you want to know how long these terrorists have been at war with US, see HERE.

We must remember. Never forget.

FLY YOUR FLAG ON 9/11

On Friday, September 11th, 2009, an American flag should be displayed outside every home, apartment, office, and store in the United States. Every individual should make it their duty to display an American flag on this eighth anniversary of one of our country's worst tragedies. We do this to honor those who lost their lives on 9/11, their families, friends and loved ones who continue to endure the pain, and those who today are fighting at home and abroad to preserve our cherished freedoms.

In the days, weeks and months following 9/11, our country was bathed in American flags as citizens mourned the incredible losses and stood shoulder-to-shoulder against terrorism. Sadly, those flags have all but disappeared. Our patriotism pulled us through some tough times and it shouldn't take another attack to galvanize us in solidarity. Our American flag is the fabric of our country and together we can prevail over terrorism of all kinds.


So, here's what we need you to do.

(1) Forward this information to everyone you know (at least 11 people). Take a moment to think back to how you felt on 9/11 and let those sentiments guide you.

(2) Fly an American flag of any size on 9/11. The flag should be flown at half-staff or with a black banner (ribbon) tied to the end of the pole if your flag doesn't lower.

Honestly, Americans should fly the flag year-round (we do at our home), but if you don't, then at least make it a priority on this day.


Thank you for your participation.

God Bless You and God Bless America!

The Week of 9-11... In a Time of War

For the first time in many moons, I have actually watched some television in the evenings. This evening I watched "Battle 360" on the History Channel... the episodes about the USS Enterprise in WWII -- the realistic graphics and animations and the interviews with survivors are inspiring. Fascinating.

You can't help but notice the number of commercials for upcoming programs and specials commemorating the 7th anniversary of 9-11-01. There is one show that I would like to see -- the compilation of New Yorkers' photos and film taken on that day.... 102 Minutes That Changed America. I find it somewhat quizzical (think of Mr. Spock's raised eyebrow) that the two Presidential candidates are making a joint appearance at Ground Zero... I have heard John McCain speak candidly about his thoughts and reactions that day... I have never heard Barrack Obama speak of his. The anniversary and thoughts of that day still -- and I suppose will always -- make my chest tighten when I am forced to think about it. I scheduled a medical appointment and other mundane tasks for most of the day more as a distraction than an attempt to make it a normal day. 9-11 will never be a normal day. Our flags will be flown at half staff (in the case of the stationary flags that don't lower, with a black streamer) this Patriot Day.

People tell me all the time how 9-11 changed them. I remember my email to a dear high school friend living in Colorado as the events of that day unfolded... he had emailed to ask if I was ok and was there anything he could do for me or my family. I was, at that moment, ensconced in my midtown Manhattan office in the relative safety (relative being a relative term in those hours immediately following the attacks) 26th floors above the Grand Central complex. I remember telling him some of what we were experiencing and finished my email response with "The world as we know it has changed forever..." How prescient but how little I really knew!!

In telling my son's and my story, I have said that Noah had always wanted to be a soldier... and that 9-11 wasn't the point of his decision, but it did mightily strengthen his resolve. While on 9-11-01 we had one son who had already served in the Navy and another that was then serving (and is still serving), we couldn't begin to imagine how it would change our sons' lives -- and ours. Just watch a pebble as it washes down a stream or over a waterfall... we have been washed along, carried along and tumbled along the way.

One day I'd like to go back to Ground Zero... be there when the new Freedom Tower is dedicated. I'd feel the circle closing. I'd like to still be around when they rebuild the rest and the memorial and the museum. I like to occasionally log on and watch the rebuilding at Ground Zero from the live cameras (Cam 1, 2 & 3...)

9-11-01 changed virtually everyone -- some for better and some not. Sometimes we can be distracted from just how much one event can affect peoples' lives... but it's occasionally good to be reminded.

I recently received an email from Bill Murphy, Jr. who said,

Several years ago, I first learned the story of the U.S. Military Academy's class of 2002, the first cadets in a generation to graduate from West Point in wartime. Theirs is a story of service and sacrifice, inspiration and honor, heroism and heartbreak---and it is a story I absolutely had to tell.

After 42 months of work, more than 600 interviews, and reporting that took me across the United States and to Iraq, my new book---“In a Time of War: the Proud & Perilous Journey of West Point’s Class of 2002”---is set for release on September 16.

The video is touching (and they are working on getting a download of Jeff Himmelman's awesome version of the Army song you hear on the video)...

I am looking forward to reading the book... We lived for a number of years very near to West Point and loved to wander the grounds there... sit on the great lawns and read... Watch the fireworks at Trophy Point and listen to the cannons roar at the conclusion of "The 1812 Overture" (though it was a nightmare getting in/out and parking -- it was worth the effort!) We had tea and attended receptions at the Thayer Hotel... we have pictures of each of the children sitting on the cannons... and while they could not officially walk down Flirtation Walk, after hearing the story on a family visit to "the Point", our [now] son-in-law actually got down on one knee and proposed (for the second time) to the beautiful H. and somewhere I have a picture of him doing so in front of the marker... We attended many concerts and functions at Eisenhower Hall... ate many a meal at the O Club there, as well. Shopped at the Commisary and PX (Post Exchange). Noah crewed (rowed) on the Hudson River there. My friend, Thomas Martin (KIA 10/07) was an '05 graduate of the Academy. I have a very personal connection to West Point and the fine men and women who accept the honor and the responsibility of attending and graduating from there. As I said, I am looking forward to reading this book... although I know it will be another "hard read".

There is a website for In a Time of War where you can read about the book and even read the first chapter for free. There are a number of events and appearances already planned so be sure to check out the "Appearances" tab on the site. You can also pre-order the book from any number of sellers -- the links are on the site. The burden of this war on terror has been borne by an inordinately small percentage of the American populace... and the story of USMA '02 reminds us how great the burden -- and how remarkable those that bear it.